Teenage Rhinoplasty

Serving as director of the Center for Craniofacial Disorders at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta since 1989, Dr. Fernando Burstein has performed facial surgical procedures on numerous children and adolescents.  While many of the procedures he performs on children are reconstructive surgeries designed to remedy congenital issues, there are a select number of cosmetic cases he will perform if the teen patient has been adequately educated and maintains certain physical and mental realizations.

According to a 2009 study conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS,) the most requested cosmetic surgical procedure by individuals 18 years old or younger was rhinoplasty (nose reshaping.) Often, rhinoplasty is requested to improve aesthetics, and often the function, of a teen’s nose.  ASAPS has published a list of guidelines that Dr. Burstein also agrees should be strictly followed when a teen requests the procedure.

Just as is detailed on Dr. Burstein’s blog on realistic rhinoplasty result expectations for adults, before a teen undergoes the procedure they (and their parents) must thoroughly grasp a few things:

Credentials- no matter what your age, ensure that your prospective cosmetic surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  If you’re under the age of 18, it’s helpful to seek the expertise of a surgeon who has previous experience with the anatomy of the adolescent face (like an Otolaryngologist.)
Emotional maturity and realistic expectations- Teens (and adults for that matter) are easily persuaded by emotional triggers (like peer comments) and should only approach cosmetic surgery after they’ve evaluated their true motives for physical change.  Teen patients must also realize that surgeons must be cautious with revisionary nose procedures as it’s a functioning facial feature that must maintain utility, not just look good.
Physical maturity- Because the face changes just like the rest of the body with maturation, it’s very important that surgery is only pursued after a majority (90%) of facial change has occurred.  ASAPS states the average age for this to occur is 13 or 14 for girls and 15 or 16 for boys.
Understanding Risk- Teens and parents should realize that just because a patient is young and healthy, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some assumed risks with surgery.  This further reiterates the importance of selecting a properly certified surgeon who’ll further educate you on possible side effects and risks.

Dr. Burstein strives to grant each of his facial cosmetic surgery patients the individual attention needed to attain the best surgical outcomes.  To learn more about the cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries he performs, visit his website or subscribe to his blog.